Really impressive story

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. ( )

Review: Hammering for Freedom
This story is about a young black man named William Lewis and his quest to free him and his family from slavery through blacksmithing for the village
I really enjoyed the book and not much is keeping me from a 5/5 ranking. This book was superbly written, told a interesting and captivating story that was very well executed in all aspects. Even leading to additional info on the back for further review. All while giving us info not only on the time period but Lewis himself showing history with respect and not glossing anything that may be problematic. Memory was great, the theme of him working harder and harder throughout his life to free more and more of his family is admirable. With the sounds of the clanging of metals in the book to really sell and keep readers interested. The art was well done and well contrasted. Using the same color pallet but swapping primary colors well when the scene called for it with a more cartoony/realistic blend to keep readers engaged. Not to mention there is a lot of extra things to dissect in nearly every page you can talk about with your class. Word difficulty was not overly complex but can challenge readers and make them progress and be better readers. But only up to 3rd grade where I think is the demographic this book is trying to reach. Despite the word difficulty I can in fact say that this story could be told to any group at any age and still be entertaining. It was also very interesting to know what happened and the updates after he purchased family member after family member from slavery.
Memorability 5/5
Art 5/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Word Difficulty 5/5
Interesting info 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Best Use: Numerous uses. Extremely versatile ( )

I enjoyed this book; it put the perspective of hard work and determination into play. Bill was a young boy who was born into a slave family; he was a hard working slave just as his family was. He knew he had to do something for his family, but he just didn't know what yet until his owner trained and taught him how to become a blacksmith. After mastering his craft of blacksmithing, he blew up in notoriety. His owner let him keep some of his profits from fixing and making things for customers. He then made a deal with his owner to let him do work outside of the farm. He saved his money and freed himself and opened a blacksmith shop. Opening the blacksmith shop was the best thing that happened to him. He worked all his life to free his family; he never stopped until he freed them all and bought a big house for everyone to stay. It is from determination and hard work that he freed his whole family. This book shows the true meaning of family, he didn't have to free everyone, but he did because family is family no matter what! With all the odds against, he still rose above the discrimination and hatred and made a happy life with his family. ( )

An inspiring true story about a slave who ended up buying his and his family's freedoms though over 40 years of hard work in a blacksmith shop. ( )

This wonderful story depicts a life of a former slave, William Lewis, who bought himself and his entire family out of slavery. His biological father was Colonel James Lewis, the master of the plantation. Even though his dad owned him, Colonel still charges an incredible amount of money for freedom of each family member. Bill Lewis learned a blacksmith trade and became the BEST at it in the entire city of Chattanooga. He worked around the clock his entire life and made his family free and wealthy. First he bought out his wife, then his kid, then himself, then brother, then parents, and finally, his sister. Bill and his wife had 10 children. It is an inspiring story about hard work and never giving up. ( )